Tony Abbott's daughters take centre stage for election campaign

Tony Abbott, the Australian opposition leader and election favourite, has
officially launched his campaign and deployed his secret weapon – his two
daughters.

Australia's opposition leader Tony Abbott, second from right, poses with his family, from left, daughter Frances, his wife Margie, and daughter Bridget, right, during the 2013 Coalition Campaign Launch in Brisbane, Australia.Photo: AP

By Jonathan Pearlman, Sydney

10:42AM BST 25 Aug 2013

The London-born former boxer was introduced by the event's surprise speakers: Frances, 21, and Bridget, 20, who have been campaigning with him for the past three weeks to help soften his image and broaden his appeal to women. The oldest daughter, Louise, 24, is living and working in Switzerland.

"My dad looks out for everyone and I know he will look after you," said Frances.

Mr Abbott pledged to defeat the "worst government in our history" as he launched his campaign in Brisbane, the home city of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

Urging Australians to "choose change", Mr Abbott, 55, sought to present himself as a stable choice in contrast with the ruling Labor party. Labor has swapped leaders twice in the past three years, and since 2010 has presided overAustralia's first minority government in more than 60 years.

"To everyone who has been let down and embarrassed by the circus in Canberra, I say: give my team a chance," Mr Abbott said.

"We will be a no-surprises, no-excuses government, because you are sick of nasty surprises."

Mr Abbott, a staunch Catholic and monarchist, has been a highly effective leader and has led the conservative Liberal-National coalition to a comfortable lead in the polls.

But he is not personally popular and has battled to overcome concerns about his attitudes to women.

His daughter, Frances, said at the launch: "For us, he's not just the guy on TV. He's the man, along with our mum, who's helped us become the women we are today."

An opposition frontbencher, Greg Hunt, said afterwards: "As good as Tony was, I think Frances and Bridget were the stars."

Australia's election campaign period began three weeks ago but the major parties typically hold official launches as well, featuring families and former party leaders. The election will be held on September 7.

Mr Rudd will hold his launch next Sunday but a notable absentee will be the former prime minister, Julia Gillard, who ousted him during his first term in 2010 and was then ousted by him three months ago. Ms Gillard has remained out of view since losing the leadership and apparently turned down an invitation to assist Mr Rudd's campaign.

"I understand Julia has made plain her position on that question and I respect it," he told ABC TV.

Mr Rudd, who is widely believed to have been behind damaging leaks against Ms Gillard during the 2010 election campaign, added: "I will not be involved in any character assassination of her or her political or policy reform record. I believe we should be building each other up, not in the business of tearing each other down."